Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28184-28185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9468]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-AD; 
Amendment 39-14086; AD 2005-10-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 
series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive detailed 
inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant conditions, 
and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires repetitive 
detailed inspections of the left and right wiper arm assemblies for 
damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if necessary. This 
AD is prompted by an additional incident of a windshield wiper blade 
separating from the wiper arm. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
separation of a wiper arm from the airplane, which could result in 
damage to the fuselage skin and propeller.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 21, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, 
dated October 7, 2003, listed in the AD, is approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of June 21, 2005.
    On October 28, 1998 (63 FR 50753, September 23, 1998), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Saab 
Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated November 14, 1997, including 
Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated September 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Saab 
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, Link[ouml]ping, 
Sweden.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20596; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-113-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend part 39 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) with an AD to supersede 
AD 98-20-11, amendment 39-10778 (63 FR 50755, September 23, 1998). The 
existing AD applies to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 
series airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal Register 
on March 15, 2005 (70 FR 12616), to continue to require repetitive 
detailed inspections of the left and right wiper arm assemblies for 
damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if necessary. The 
proposed AD would also require a detailed inspection of the left and 
right wiper arm assemblies for damage, and corrective/related 
investigative actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that has been 
submitted on the proposed AD. The commenter supports the proposed AD.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment that has been submitted, and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Number of
                                     Work     Average                             U.S.-
              Action                 hours   labor rate    Cost per airplane    registered       Fleet cost
                                              per hour                          airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (required by AD 98-20-        1          $65  $65, per inspection           170  $11,050, per
 11).                                                     cycle.                             inspection cycle.
Extended Inspection (new action)..       1          $65  $65, per inspection           170  $11,050 per
                                                          cycle.                             inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for

[[Page 28185]]

safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing amendment 39-10778 (63 FR 
50755, September 23, 1998) and by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-10-09 Saab Aircraft AB: Amendment 39-14086. Docket No. FAA-
2005-20596; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-113-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 21, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 98-20-11, amendment 39-10778 (63 FR 
50755, September 23, 1998).

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, dated October 7, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by an additional incident of a 
windshield wiper blade separating from the wiper arm. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent separation of a wiper arm from the airplane, 
which could result in damage to the fuselage skin and propeller.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Requirements of AD 98-20-11

    (f) For Model SAAB SF340A series airplanes, manufacturer serial 
number (S/Ns) 004 through 159 inclusive; and Model SAAB 340B series 
airplanes, manufacturer S/Ns 160 through 399 inclusive: Prior to the 
accumulation of 4,000 total flight hours, or within 3 months after 
October 28, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-20-11), whichever 
occurs later, perform a detailed inspection of the windshield wiper 
assembly for discrepancies (corrosion; excessive wear; missing, 
loose, or broken parts; improper alignment; and insecure 
attachment), in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-081, 
dated November 14, 1997, including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated 
September 14, 1997.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

    (1) If no discrepancy is detected during the inspection, repeat 
the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight 
hours until the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD is 
accomplished.
    (2) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection, prior 
to further flight, replace the windshield wiper assembly with a new 
or serviceable windshield wiper assembly, or repair in accordance 
with Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated November 14, 1997, 
including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated September 14, 1997. Repeat 
the detailed inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 
flight hours, until the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD is accomplished.

New Requirements of This AD

Detailed Inspection of Wiper Arm Assemblies

    (g) For all airplanes: Within 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the left and right wiper arm 
assemblies for damage and any applicable corrective/investigative 
actions, by doing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, dated October 7, 
2003. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
800 flight hours. Accomplishment of this inspection terminates the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of 
this AD.
    (h) Airplanes on which the inspection required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD is done within the compliance time specified in paragraph 
(f) of this AD are not required to accomplish the inspection 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) Swedish airworthiness directive 1-193, dated October 8, 
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated 
November 14, 1997, including Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated 
September 14, 1997; and Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, dated 
October 7, 2003; as applicable; to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approves the 
incorporation by reference of Saab Service Bulletin 340-30-088, 
dated October 7, 2003, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51.
    (2) On October 28, 1998 (63 FR 50753), the Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Saab 
Service Bulletin 340-30-081, dated November 14, 1997, including 
Attachment 1, Revision 1, dated September 14, 1997.
    (3) To get copies of the service information, contact Saab 
Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft Product Support, S-581.88, 
Link[ouml]ping, Sweden. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review 
copies of the service information, contact the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 5, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9468 Filed 5-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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